79: The Curse Of The Unlucky Fishing Tackle Part 3

Unlucky Tackle Part 3 – Size Does Matter

Knowledge Wise

After reading Parts 1 and 2 you probably figured out; “hey, maybe my fishing tackle is not cursed after all. Just maybe. I am still not sure.” Well, if that is the case then let us look further. Let us look at size and how size can make or break your fishing trip. We will take a look at your terminal tackle and how your terminal tackle and terminally curse your fishing.

Hooks

With this I do not mean deliberately using large hooks while your target fish are minnows. No. What I meant is that the hooks you use large enough to spook the fish. Heavily fished area creates an environment where the fishes are generally cautious. They will probably not take a piece of bait where the hook can be easily seen. This is especially true when bottom fishing. Changing to a smaller hook will certainly enhance one’s chances of catching a fish.

Size Of Swivels And Snaps

The size of your swivels and snaps can have an effect on your fishing too. Fish can see them if they are near the hook. But there is one more thing to consider. Being larger in size also means that they are heavier. If you are using a bait and leader that takes slower to drop to the bottom than your Swivels and snaps, there is a chance that the bait could have gotten tangled with the mainline.

Reducing the size of your snap and swivel with a strong one yet smaller sized one will certainly help. Of course it is more important to match your tackle.

Larger sizes snaps (snap swivels) can be a messy affair.

Knot Sizes

Yes, knot sizes can have an effect on your catch rate too. The bigger the knot, the easier it is for the fish see it. Fishing in highly pressured waters can be difficult when big knots are used. Reducing the size of your knot can help. You can do so my using thinner leaders (some leaders are thinner despite having the same breaking strength as some thicker leaders), or use a different knot.

Larger knots are more visible.

Sizes And Currents

Has this happened to you before? Your captain parks your boat above a bunch of fish (shown on the sonar) and you all drop your line. Minutes later everyone is pulling up fish except you. You wait and wait while the rest of your friends bring up fish after fish. Then comes time to move on to a different fishing spot. Well, maybe you have and maybe you have not. But why does this happen?

Larger lines, terminal tackle, baits, etc. are affected by currents. Currents can take your baits way off the fishing zone. When this happens you may be the one left out while everyone else in the boat pulls up fish after fish. Using thinner lines, fluorocarbon lines, smaller terminal tackle, etc. will certainly be the key to breaking this curse.